Ukraine: US sees war in Transnistria postponed, Europe worries about energy blackout

The US will not see an end soon war in Ukraine after the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep his papers closed in his speech in Red Square for the 9th of May. In fact, Washington estimates that Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares for a protracted conflictwhile the first step was taken in the US Congress for the approval of a colossal package of military, humanitarian and financial aid of 40 billion dollars in Ukraine.

At the same time, Europe is worried about the possibility of an energy blackout if Moscow shuts off its gas tap to the EU. The Commission intends to present on 18 May an emergency plan for the actions to be taken in the near future.. The plan also covers, at least in theory, the case of a blackout in the inflow of Russian hydrocarbons into the European market and is based on the Regulation on Supply Security, which has been in force since 2017 – and may, under certain conditions, be extended to oil, despite as regards natural gas by name.

Mammoth package for Ukraine launched by Congress

In particular, the US House of Representatives on Tuesday night (early in the morning Greek time) approved a bill for the colossal package of nearly 40 billion dollars requested by US President Joe Biden to provide military, humanitarian and economic assistance. USA in Ukraine, whose territory was invaded by the Russian army on 24 February.

The text, which was approved by a vote of both parties, remains to be approved by the Senate before it reaches the office of the US President.

With this “help program” “America sends the whole message to the world that our determination to support the courageous people of Ukraine until victory is invincible” over Russiasaid Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic president of the House, a few hours before the vote.

The 6 billion is intended for Ukraine to acquire armored vehicles, strengthen its air defense and receive various weapons and ammunition, while fighting is raging in its eastern and southern parts, as broadcast by international agencies and relayed by the Athenian Special News Agency. . Nearly 9 billion is earmarked to ensure “the continuity of Ukrainian democratic institutions”, while part of the amount is earmarked for humanitarian aid.

Chuck Sumer, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, said yesterday that “the rapid adoption of funding is necessary to help the Ukrainian people in their fight against the inhumane (Russian President Vladimir Putin)”, referring to “moral duty” to stand by “our friends in Ukraine”. The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill later this week, or at the beginning of next year at the latest.

On Monday, President Biden called on Congress to approve the funding “immediately”, as the issue was urgent, he said.

US intelligence chief Avril Haynes said yesterday that Russian President Putin, who is preparing for a protracted war in Ukraine, is counting on Western aid to Kyiv to dwindle.

The Russian president “probably” counts on the weakening of the determination of the United States and the European Union “in the midst of” food shortages and rising energy prices, “according to Ms. Haynes.

Two influential senators, Lindsay Graham (Republicans) and Richard Blumenthal (Democrats), suggested yesterday that Russia be blacklisted by “pro-democracy” states in the wake of US retaliation against Moscow. This list currently includes four countries: Cuba, Iran, Syria and North Korea.

The US “sees” that Putin wants to transfer the war to Transnistria

Βλαντίμιρ ΠούτινΒλαντίμιρ ΠούτινVladimir Putin

“We believe that President Putin is preparing for a protracted war in Ukraine during which still intends to achieve goals beyond Donbas and transfer war to TransnistriaSaid yesterday the head of the US Intelligence Services, Avril Haynes.

He added that Putin expected the West’s resolve to weaken over time.

Fears of energy shock in Europe

Meanwhile, the management company of the gas transmission system of Ukraine GTSOU announced that due to force majeure will suspend from tomorrow, Wednesday, May 11, the transport of Russian gas to Europe via the Sohranifka station.

Ukraine remains a transit hub for Russian gas to Europe, even after the Russian invasion of the country on February 24.

The management company of the gas transmission system of Ukraine GTSOU announced that due to force majeure it will stop the transport of Russian gas to Europe through the Sokhranifka station from tomorrow, Wednesday, May 11.

Ukraine remains a transit hub for Russian gas to Europe, even after the Russian invasion of the country on February 24.

Ρωσικό φυσικό αέριοΡωσικό φυσικό αέριοRussian gas

The GTSOU claims that it is unable to operate the Novopskoff compressor station due to “the intervention of the occupying forces in the technical process”. The station, in the Luhansk region, was occupied by Russian forces and pro-Russian separatists shortly after the invasion. It is the first compression station in the Luhansk transit system on a pipeline carrying about 32.6 million cubic meters of gas a day, or one-third of Russian gas transported to Europe via Ukraine, according to GTSOU. .

“In order to fulfill its obligations to its European partners and under the terms of the agreement, it is possible to temporarily transport gas from the Suzha interconnection located in Ukrainian-controlled territory,” GTSOU added in a statement. of.

Gazprom: It is technically impossible to use the Soutza station

Russian energy giant Gazprom has said it is not technically possible to divert gas flow to Ukraine to a new entry point, as suggested by GTSOU, Ukraine’s gas transmission system operator.

Gazprom responded that it had received the notification from Kyiv that the flows would stop at 7 am local time and assured that it was fulfilling all its obligations to gas buyers in Europe. He added that he did not see any evidence of force majeure, nor any obstruction that made it difficult to transport gas as before.

The Russian company, which has a monopoly on gas exports through pipelines, said it was “technologically impossible” to transport the entire volume of gas through the Suzha interconnection station, as proposed by Kyiv.

Source: News Beast

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